Judge orders new election for St. Louis state rep over voting irregularities

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ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI)- A St. Louis city judge has ruled in favor of challenger Bruce Franks in his effort to get a new election in the 78th Missouri state house district. Judge Rex Burlison threw out the August 2nd primary results and ordered a new election for Friday, September 16, 2016.

Incumbent representative Penny Hubbard won the August primary race thanks to absentee ballot votes. Challenger Franks lost by just 90 votes. He and his attorney pointed out irregularities in how the St. Louis city election board handled the ballots. Some were accepted and others rejected for a variety of reasons.

The dispute involves state election laws and whether rules written for paper and computer card ballots should also apply to new, electronic methods of voting. Underlying all of this are accusations of criminal election fraud. Those claims are being investigated by the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney’s office and the Missouri Secretary of State staff.

Citizens must have confidence in the integrity of elections. Reviewing today's #STL court ruling to determine appropriate actions.